This recent picture of Traci Jones Scott was taken at SteamRoller Bagels on Saint Patrick's Day.(Photo: Submitted)

The crew at SteamRoller Bagels in Granville is rallying around one of their own as she fights a recently diagnosed rare form of cancer.

On a GoFundMe page established by SteamRoller Bagels to assist their colleague with her medical expenses, Traci Jones Scott, who underwent surgery April 11 for vulvar cancer – a very rare form of cancer – is described as, “our friend, coworker, and fellow sandwich purveyor.”

In the space of about two weeks, SteamRoller owner Jay Snyder said in an April 15 interview, Traci Scott’s life has been turned upside down.

“It’s been incredibly fast,” Snyder said. “Her surgery was on Thursday the 11th. Her first appointment at The James that confirmed a few things and where she got the results of the first round of the scans and everything was on Friday the fifth. So, it’s gone pretty fast. It’s really all kind of happened in a two-week time span… The final pathology that will give us a sense of what stage she is at, and what her recovery is going to be, is still about a week-and-a-half away.”

If her diagnosis and treatment has been fast moving, so has her coworkers’ efforts to help her with expenses.

In order to protect her job, other employees are covering shifts, resulting in some hours of operation being shaved at the store.

“We want her to have a job when she comes back, and we’re trying to give some time to figure out what the full impact is,” Snyder said. “So, we’ve tried to absorb hours as best we can.”

The GoFundMe page was launched the week of April 8, and as of early morning on April 15, had raised $1,990 toward a $3,000 goal.

Additionally, Snyder said 20% from gift cards sold at the store will go to Traci during her treatment and recovery.

The GoFundMe page notes, “recovery will be at least a six-week process, just from the surgery. Radiation will follow. During this time, she will be unable to work, and assistance with those lost wages is not readily available through federal, state, or local programs.”

Snyder reported on April 15, “Traci, who lives in Newark, is currently at home, now recovering from a radical vulvectomy in the care of Ron Scott, her husband. Ron is a retired postal carrier with a long career in Granville.”

Snyder said of donations to help Traci, “No amount is too small, certainly. We’re thrilled to see small donations. We’re also just trying to create something that’s an incentive for people to be a part of this, too. So, we brought in a couple of partners…”

That “something” is a special art learning opportunity to help raise further funds for Traci.

As described on the SteamRoller Facebook page, “Jason Antol Studios, SteamRoller Bagel Sandwiches and Homestead Beer company are joining forces for unique experience for donors who support our fundraising efforts…an opportunity for donors to learn to make their own blooming steel rose in a four-hour class under the instruction of local sculptor and metalsmith, Jason Antol. A lunch of off-menu secret series bagel sandwiches will be provided by SteamRoller the day of your class, a kegerator of Homestead Beer will quench your thirst throughout.”

Dates for the classes are to be determined based on participant availability.

“She’s been here since we opened the doors at restaurant,” Snyder said of Traci. “She never worked on the (food) truck, but as we were building the shop, she took a lot of interest in what we were doing. She had a lot of professional experience in restaurants, and honestly, we didn’t. The idea of bringing someone in with real restaurant experience was very appealing.”

Snyder continued, “She’s an incredible strong person. She has shown incredible resiliency. This is something she wants awareness about, because it is kind of rare.”

Snyder said there are also cards at the shop, located at 115 N. Prospect St. in Granville, for customers to sign to wish Traci well.